Several human tooth samples from Neolithic Period, Bronze Age, Iron Period and VIII-X Century Period, collected from different archaeological sites (belonging to the same geographic area – South-East of Romania) had been analyzed. Tooth DNA extracts had been obtained using a GuSCN DNA isolation protocol. Based on spectophotometric readings on DNA extracts, it was possible to determine a DNA degradation index using tooth samples from our days as etalon for DNA degradation occurred in the steps of isolation protocol. The results were correlated to elemental composition of tooth as well as their calcinations residues, in order to relieve the effect of fossilization process on DNA preservation. For qualitative and quantitative analysis, XRF and SEM/EDS techniques have been used.
We consider this type of knowledge being of great interest because investigations about particularities of molecular processes involved in bone and tooth DNA conservation (or degradation) are just a few, insufficiently for problems rise by this matter.